Skip to main content

Hulu kicks off 4K Ultra HD streaming with original programming and Bond films

hulu launches 4k streaming spectre snow scene
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Both Netflix and Amazon have been offering select content in 4K Ultra HD for quite some time now and comparatively, Hulu has been slow to follow. Now the streaming service has finally jumped on the 4K bandwagon, as The Verge reports, but there isn’t a wealth of content at launch, and ways to watch are limited.

As usual, you’ll need to make sure that you have a 4K-ready TV and fast enough internet to support a 4K stream — Hulu says it requires a minimum of 13 megabits per second for 4K streaming — but you’ll also need supported hardware. Right now, only two devices are capable of streaming 4K from Hulu: the PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One S game consoles.

Recommended Videos

If you’re fortunate enough to have the right hardware to watch Hulu’s new 4K streams, you’ll also find content is limited. The bulk of available content right now consists of Hulu original series like 11.22.63, The Path, Chance, and Shut Eye. If you’re a fan of Hulu’s original programming, this is great, but otherwise the offerings seem somewhat lackluster. Unless, that is, you’re a James Bond fan.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

In addition to Hulu originals, a total of 20 Bond films from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer catalog are available in 4K. This includes the recent Spectre, and classics like Goldfinger, From Russia With Love, and Dr. No, among others.

Though there isn’t much here at the start, it’s telling that Hulu has finally entered the 4K game at all. It’s a fairly safe bet that more content will be available sooner rather than later, and it shouldn’t be too long before the service offers 4K content on other devices as well. Whether HDR (high dynamic range) content is on the way as well is currently unknown, but with both Netflix and Amazon supporting it, it seems likely that Hulu would like to offer it eventually.

Kris Wouk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…
Nit Nerds News: Exciting new Apple TV 4K features, new Xbox consoles
Nit Nerds News

Exciting New Apple TV 4K Features, New Xbox Consoles | Nit Nerds News

Today on Nit Nerds News: New Apple tvOS features that will freshen up existing Apple TV 4K boxes. Updated Xbox consoles are a bit of a letdown for home entertainment. Asus has unveiled some eye-popping new PC monitors.

Read more
Onn 4K Pro vs. Chromecast with Google TV 4K: $50 streaming devices face off
The 2020 Google Chromecast and 2024 Onn 4K Pro.

There's a nearly four-year difference between the Chromecast with Google TV 4K and the new Onn 4K Pro. Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends

You’ve read our Onn 4K Pro review. You’ve watched our Onn 4K Pro video. You’ve seen how we have a new Google TV leader on our list of the best streaming devices. And you still want to see them head-to-head.

Read more
Walmart says Onn 4K Pro will eventually only ship with a backlit remote
The remote control that came with our Onn 4K Pro Streaming Device.

The remote control that came with our Onn 4K Pro Streaming Device is not backlit. Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends

The great mystery of the Walmart remote control has been solved. Mostly. As you'll recall from our Onn 4K Pro Streaming Device review, ours came with a remote control that doesn't have backlit buttons and also lacks an unsightly "Free TV" button. But some folks who also got in early on the $50 Google TV device had a different remote control — one whose buttons do light up, and with a big blue "Free TV" button in the middle.

Read more